Pedal-protector



(No Model.)

H. I. TINKHAM. PEDAL PROTECTOR.

No. 424,038. Patented Mar. 25, 1890.

' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY I. TINKHAM, OF TAUNTON, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO WINTHROP A. HARVEY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

PEDAL- PROTECTOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 424,038, dated March 25, 1890.

Application filed January 21, 1889. Serial No. 296,962. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, HENRY I. TINKHAM, of Taunton, in the county of Bristol and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Pedal-Protector, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a plan; Fig. 2, a side view, and Fig. 3 a longitudinal section, of one form of IO my new protector, on line 3 3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 shows my protector in use, the lips being bent slightly outward for greater clearness. Figs. 5 and 6 show a modification.

The pedal-protectors of pianos, as is well [5 known, are commonly nickeled or of polished brass, and while on exhibition frequently become dingy and scratched. Hitherto dealers have very frequently wrapped the pedals in cloth to keep them bright until delivery to purchasers; but this is a clumsy and unsightly way of protecting the pedals, and is conse quently an objectionable way, because it detracts from the attractiveness of the instrument exhibited.

The object of my invention is to protect the pedals of pianos without giving them the clumsy appearance hitherto given them by wrapping them in cloths-in other words, to preserve their symmetry and elegant appear- 0 ance while protecting them from the atmosphere and from scratching by the feet of persons trying the pianos before buying.

My invention is a pedalprotector, which fits on a pedal, and is provided with a num- 3 5 her of flexible lugs to firmly secure it 011 the pedal temporarily.

In the drawings, A is the pedal-protector, and consists, essentially, of a soft cover a for the pedal-foot, and flexible lugs or ears a con- 0 nected thereto and adapted to be bent against the pedal-foot to hold the protector firmly in place, as shown in Figs. 4 and 6. The best way of making these protectors is to die out and strike up a shell c of sheet metal-brass, for example-forming the lugs a at the same time integral with the body of the shell. The shell thus formed is then readily lined with chamois or other soft cover a for the pedal, and as the shell is of a form to fit the pedal the protector A is readily attached and detached from the pedal by bending the lugs a.

My protectors are cheaply madepand enable dealers to protect the polished pedals of instruments while the instruments are on exhibition and keep the pedals in fit condition for delivery. The protectors may be used in the factory or salesroom over and over again, being taken off when the piano is sold.

In Figs. 5 and 6 I showa modification, this form of protector being made of felt or other suitable material molded to the proper shape, with the shanks of the lugs a (of flexible sheet metal) embodied in the body of the shell or cover a and projecting therefrom, as will be readily understood without particular description.

I am aware of Patent No. 143,509, granted to Haas, October 7, 187 3, and disclaim all that is shown in it. 1

\Vhat I claim is The herein-described pedal-protector, consisting of a soft cover a, formed to fit on the pedal, and flexiblelugs a, projecting from the cover a to engage the pedal and hold the pro tector in place, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

HENRY I. TINKHAM.

Witnesses:

EDWARD S. BEACH,

JOHN R. Snow. 

